ALEX Lesson Plans

Title: Vectors Drive the Boat
Description:
Using a combination of online exploration and teacher instruction students will discover that vectors have both magnitude and direction. They will be able to use vectors to represent problem situations. Students will also be will be able to perform basic operations on vectors.
Standard(s): [MA2013] PRE (9-12) 8: (+) Add and subtract vectors. [N-VM4]

Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12) Title: Vectors Drive the BoatDescription: Using a combination of online exploration and teacher instruction students will discover that vectors have both magnitude and direction. They will be able to use vectors to represent problem situations. Students will also be will be able to perform basic operations on vectors.

Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Sums of Vectors and Their Properties
Description:
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students manipulate a velocity vector to control the movement of an object in a gamelike setting. In the process, they extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors.
Standard(s): [MA2013] AM1 (9-12) 3: (+) Add vectors end-to-end, component-wise, and by the parallelogram rule. Understand that the magnitude of a sum of two vectors is typically not the sum of the magnitudes. Find the dot product and the cross product of vectors. [N-VM4a] (Alabama)

Subject: MathematicsTitle: Sums of Vectors and Their PropertiesDescription: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students manipulate a velocity vector to control the movement of an object in a gamelike setting. In the process, they extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors.Thinkfinity Partner: IlluminationsGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Learning about Properties of Vectors and Vector Sums Using Dynamic Software
Description:
In this two-lesson unit, from Illuminations, students manipulate a velocity vector to control the movement of an object in a gamelike setting. They develop an understanding that vectors are composed of both magnitude and direction, and extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors.
Standard(s): [MA2013] AM1 (9-12) 5: (+) Understand vector subtraction v - w as v + (-w), where (-w) is the additive inverse of w, with the same magnitude as w and pointing in the opposite direction. Represent vector subtraction graphically by connecting the tips in the appropriate order, and perform vector subtraction component-wise, including vectors in complex vector spaces. [N-VM4c] (Alabama)

Subject: MathematicsTitle: Learning about Properties of Vectors and Vector Sums Using Dynamic SoftwareDescription: In this two-lesson unit, from Illuminations, students manipulate a velocity vector to control the movement of an object in a gamelike setting. They develop an understanding that vectors are composed of both magnitude and direction, and extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors.Thinkfinity Partner: IlluminationsGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Orbiting Satellites
Description:
In this lesson, from Illuminations, students explore the concept of orbits, specifically the connection of Earth-orbiting satellites to the study of the environment. Both geometric and algebraic concepts are presented to students in this application of science and mathematics to a real-world situation.
Standard(s): [MA2013] PRE (9-12) 7: (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be represented by vectors. [N-VM3]

Subject: Mathematics,ScienceTitle: Orbiting SatellitesDescription: In this lesson, from Illuminations, students explore the concept of orbits, specifically the connection of Earth-orbiting satellites to the study of the environment. Both geometric and algebraic concepts are presented to students in this application of science and mathematics to a real-world situation.Thinkfinity Partner: IlluminationsGrade Span: 6,7,8

Web Resources

Podcasts

Title: Math in Basketball
Description:
Basketball player Elton Brand describes how he became an NBA star, then presents a challenge about the math behind the perfect free throw shot.
Standard(s): [MA2013] AM1 (9-12) 2: (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be represented by vectors, including navigation (e.g., airplane, aerospace, oceanic). [N-VM3] (Alabama)

Interactives/Games

Title: The Moving Man
Description:
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration graphs. Move the little man back and forth with the mouse and plot his motion. Set the position, velocity, or acceleration and let the simulation move the man for you.
Standard(s): [MA2013] AM1 (9-12) 2: (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be represented by vectors, including navigation (e.g., airplane, aerospace, oceanic). [N-VM3] (Alabama)

The Moving Manhttp://phet.colorado...
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration graphs. Move the little man back and forth with the mouse and plot his motion. Set the position, velocity, or acceleration and let the simulation move the man for you.